inventions & adventures

…April 25…

When you think about that date you think about Anzac Day, Gallipoli, Anzac Cove, Red Poppies or Anzac Biscuits.

What is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACs, it is the day that we remember the soldiers who served and died in WWI, but more specifically we remember the ANZACs who landed at Gallipoli.

Who were the ANZACs?
The ANZACs were the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

Why did the ANZACs land and fight at Gallipoli?
The ANZACs landed at Gallipoli to fight the Turks. Supplies needed to be sent to Russia and the way that the British went about this was to send the supplies through Gallipoli. But before the supplies could be sent they needed to capture the southern peninsula of Gallipoli.

Where did the ANZACs land?
The ANZACs landed Ari Burnu, which was later renamed Anzac Cove.

Were the ANZACs successful?
Unfortunately, no.
The Turks had feared such an attack and they were well prepared for anything that might come. The ANZACs however, didn’t know this, so they went right into a well-armed battle field.

How many ANZACs were killed?
7,162 were killed and over 33,111 were wounded at Gallipoli.
Also the Turkish and German lost 251,000 soldiers.

When was the first “Anzac Day “?
The first Anzac Day took place on 25 April 1916. As time went on, the ceremony of remembrance was extended to the soldiers of the Second World War. It now honors all New Zealanders and Australians who have served in a military campaign.

What is Poppy Day?
Poppy Day is held on the Friday before Anzac Day. On that day people sell artificial red poppies.

What is the red poppy?
The red poppy – or Flanders poppy – is an international symbol of remembrance for those killed on the battlefield. Its symbolism dates back to Napoleonic times, but its association with WWI and WWII is mainly due to the poem
“In Flanders Fields”

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Why are the poppies sold?
Because poppies grow in the field of Flanders where tens of thousands young British troops and ANZACs lost their lives.
The proceeds from the poppies go to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) to support returned servicemen and women and their dependents.
Wearing a red poppy is a way to show your respect for those that died in the war.

When was the first Poppy Day held?
The first New Zealand Poppy Day was held in 1922. The ship carrying the poppies from France arrived in New Zealand too late for Armistice Day in November, when Poppy Day is celebrated by the rest of the world. So, New Zealand held Poppy Day prior to Anzac Day instead. It has been celebrated on that day ever since.

What are Anzac biscuits?
Anzac biscuits (cookies for American readers) are a snack food most commonly made from the primary ingredients of rolled oats, coconut, and golden syrup.

Where did the term Anzac biscuit originate from?
One story is that the biscuits were made by Australian and New Zealand women for the ANZAC soldiers during World War I, that they were reputedly first called “Soldiers’ Biscuits” then renamed “ANZAC Biscuits” after the Gallipoli landing.

Bravo Anzacs
Rings the world with the fame
And glory of Australia’s name
Valiant sons of Britain true
Our great empire praises you

And to history shall go down
New Zealand’s loyal and brave renown
Zeal in every noble heart
Answering plays a hero’s part
Closer binds our empire’s tracks
Sons of Britain, Brave Anzacs

…T4, that’s right, 4

A few weeks before T’s birthday she was asked how old she was, T said, displaying four fingers, “That many… when it’s my birfday.”

Here are some photos from previous years, (thanks Mum!).

This year T4 requested a zoo cake.
The end result:

What’s more, there was treasure in the cake that T4 got to dig for….what fun!

oh, there you are….playing with your trains…….the train set has been up taking different configurations every day for the past couple of weeks…..that’s always a sign that winter is coming!

I’m missing your posting, so please do allow me to kick-start you into gear. If it’s all too much to photograph what you’re getting up to as well as write about it, you could use the pictures I’ve just put up on Flickr.

Looking froward to reading….

here you go kiddos……

self-directed studies options

and

life skills lists

Lots of love from,
Mamaxxx

(By Mama)

How can a Mama refuse such a polite request?

L7: Please may I go and keep my castle company Mama?

You really thought I’d say no seeing as you’ve been doing Lego nearly all day, didn’t you?
You really thought I might be more inclined to say yes if you were cute, didn’t you?

I’m coming downstairs now to keep YOU company too! I’ll be the horse, OK.

Luke 24

Jesus Has Risen

¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” ⁸ Then they remembered his words.

⁹ When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. ¹² Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. ⁵² Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

⁵³ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Wasn’t it great to do our first Real Walk with Fully Loaded Packs this morning! I was so proud of you all. ER, you managed to walk the entire 2km all by yourself (I really didn’t mind stopping to give you a cuddle when you needed it to give you a final burst of energy towards the end). We had hoped you would be walking 2km by the time you were two years old, but you’re doing it already and you’ve still got another two months to go. You’re a trooper!

T3, you did so well too. Eventually. When I put your pack on I was despairing….I’m not sure what has got into your head about these packs, but whenever we put one on you, it draws out the grizzles and today was no exception. You can wear your sleeping bag pack forever, but not these good packs! You grizzled up the hill, you grizzled along the road. I told you no more grizzles, but you didn’t listen. Then a moment later you were singing. And bouncing along. Without looking back. Isn’t it so much easier to walk without grizzles - and weren’t you so happy to be able to tell Dadda you walked all the way back without even one grizzle. You can do it! We know you can!

M5. WOW. What a strong man! We though Dadda was going to have to carry your clothing for you, but you took it all yourself, and you didn’t complain once, although your pack was a bit heavy at the end. Dadda will only need to carry your sleeping bag for you….we can hardly believe how strong you have grown!

L7-the-boy-who-wouldn’t-say-it’s-too-heavy-even-if-it-was. We sure are lucky to have a young man who can carry his heavy pack without so much as a murmur. But it is fine to tell us if it has gone past the *I hardly notice it’s on my back* stage and to the *it’s getting a bit uncomfortable stage*. Do tell us, OK!

K9, Trudge, trudge, bounce, skip. In your own happy quiet way you tripped along, willing to admit you’d reached the *it’s starting to get uncomfortable* stage, but oh so excited that it was nowhere near the *I can hardly bear this any longer* stage. Skip, bounce, all the way home, including the extra kilometre with all the big kids, plus the detour up to the dam.

K10, you really want to take the pack you were wearing today, don’t you? Of course you were going to say it was comfortable and so much lighter than the other one It wasn’t lighter, but I will concede it might be more comfy (which may well make it seem lighter). When we’ve got all the clothes made, we’ll pack the packs up properly and if everything fits in that pack, you can take that one. Deal?

J12, the muscle man. You had a very heavy pack and you were entirely realistic in your surmising…..no wonder it felt heavy. It WAS heavy - 9.5kg heavy, in fact. Your generous help-others-out nature will always ensure you’re prepared to go the extra mile for us, but if it gets too much, yell out, OK!?!

J13, you just got yourself another job! You coped admirably with taking two people’s worth of gear, so you’ll be packhorse for ER, if you don’t mind (which, having spoken to you about it already, I know you don’t). I’ll take her sleeping bag - you’ll take her clothing. (I’ll appreciate so much not having to carry two children’s clothes as well as my own!) I’ll give you a big kiss at the end of every walk. Just remind me!

Lotsa love,
Mama xxx

thanks for letting us help you Dadda

we love working with you

The other day I made out of a baby’s  formula tin a small boat frame. Then after I glued the sail in, I put a few layers of tin foil to make it bigger and better. It sails well.

...it was then that we planned revenge…

FIRST MATE WRITING

As the the time indicates up the top it is very early. We had come up with a plan last night. We are preparing everything while they are still asleep so they won’t hear us. Here is the plan:

1. We take the rope that was the boys washing line and all the guy ropes that we can untie quietly.
2. Then we tie these ropes together really tight.
3. We then take one end of the rope and tie it very quietly to the little loops that hold the corner of the tent down.
4. Next E10 holds the rope so that it doesn’t pull and make a big noise waking the boys up while First Mate takes the other end and climbs up the very tall oak tree to the top.
5. This is the tricky part, pulling the rope tight enough so that it does not hang slack but not so tight that it pulls the corner of the tent up, yet!
6. Once the rope is tight enough First Mate ties the rope to the top of the tree and and then passes the rope around the tree a few times, finishing off with a lot of stiff knots.
7. The rope is then thrown down to Able Seaman who coils it while First Mate climbs up the tree next to the oak.
8. First Mate then winds the rope around this tree and ties the rope up in a high branch.
9. E10 then comes to help First Mate thread the boys shoes onto the end of the rope and tie a secure knot, leaving the shoes hanging just out of the reach of anyone standing on the ground.
10. When the boys have just woken up we will pull the rope making the corner of the tent come up with a big noise, and let in the cold air.

All this has taken about 16 minutes and we are tidying up our tent and waiting for the boys to start talking so we can pull the rope and give them a surprise!

“It sounds like they are waking up now,” E10 alerted us.
“Best get over there and start pulling, but not a sound or a giggle for that matter!” First Mate cautioned.

We had decided that First Mate would do any of the talking because E10 and Able Seaman would just burst out giggling, but that we would all pull the rope at some stage.

The boys must be reading or something, because they are very quiet, First Mate thought to herself, but we had heard some one say, “Move over” so they must be awake. First Mate tugged the rope.

“Be quiet!” That was Second Mate.

Hearing this First Mate pulled even harder making a big shaking noise.

“Stop touching our tent, you’ll wake Captain and J12.”
“Are they asleep?” asked First Mate “and I’m not touching your tent.”
“We were asleep, but you woke us up and…” said J12 and Captain together. They sounded kind of grumpy and not quite awake. This time E10 tugged the rope.
“Would you please stop touching the tent.” Captain asked.
“I’m not,” answered E10 truthfully.
“She is telling you the truth,” Able Seaman countered.
“Well then how is our tent moving?” Second Mate queried.
“You might as well see for yourselves, but remember, it was you who started playing tricks!” First Mate reminded.

The boys opened the tent and because their tent was facing away from the scene they went to put their shoes on and have a look, but because their shoes were out in the tree they had to stand on the wet grass without shoes.
“Oh…you girls.” said Captain with a sigh and shaking his head he climbed up the oak tree to untie the rope. It was then that he discovered that the rope went back down the oak tree and up the next tree. He climbed up the other tree to retrieve his, J12’s and Second Mate’s shoes and then back up the oak tree to untie the million-and-one knots we had tied, all the time giving us dirty looks.

All this time Us Girls had been watching the proceedings gleefully. We were not the only ones who had been watching; J12, Second Mate, S7, Ship’s Boy and The Crew were also watching. Mum and Dad came over to see what was going on, we explained to them our trick and they went back to their tent. They weren’t going to help if we were playing a trick back on Those Boys.

J12 and Second Mate weren’t grumpy anymore and they now saw the funny side of the joke (probably because they didn’t have to climb a tree while they were still half asleep), but Captain did not see the funny side yet and he said to us
“Why did you have to do that girls?”
“Because of the trick you played on us which, by the way, we thought was a very clever trick and we didn’t suspect that you were behind it until the last moment. And because we wanted to play a trick on you!” answered E10.
“Hmpf,” was all we heard from Captain.
“Doesn’t matter anymore,” said Second Mate.
“Doesn’t matter,” exploded Captain, “It doesn’t matter, because I climbed the tree and got your shoes for you and to untie the rope while…”
“Thanks!” said J12.
“Yeah, thanks,” echoed Second Mate.

Captain was starting to see the funny side, but didn’t really want to admit it so he started frowning as he does when coming out of a bad mood.

“So do you think that the joke is funny now?” asked First Mate nervously.
“In no way do I think that being woken up is funny, but the trick…not funny, but…clever!” said Captain with a smile.
“I think the same thing about being woken up and about the joke being clever, but I also think it is funny now. And you really were telling the truth when you said you weren’t touching the tent!” said J12.
“Me too,” added Second Mate, who didn’t like to be left out.
“Remember that saying He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best,” put in Able Seaman.
“And we got the last laugh!” added E10.

**********

We have just finished breakfast, a fry up of bacon, eggs, hash-browns, sausages, baked beans and toast. YUM!
We are going down to the lake for one last swim, kayak, jetty jumping/wrestling. We are also taking a row boat named “WAIMANU” and a tractor tyre tube and some rope.
We had been in the water for about an hour having a naval-sea-battle with the kayaks and WAIMANU when Mr Edmond went back to the bach and returned with the Sunburst.
Now, every time we (the Bears) had been to the lake we had admired the Sunburst, but we had never actually sailed in her so this was to be a real treat. Just imagine to be taken out on the lake in her!
Going in the Sunburst lived up to, and I (First Mate) think that it, even exceeded my expectations.

FIRST MATE WRITING

I wanted to write this down, although I will never forget it. It was one of those once-in-a-life-time feelings.
Dad and I were sailing in the Sunburst. We had been tacking back and forth. The wind was blowing quite hard. You could hear the water rushing underneath the boat. We were on the homeward leg when a big gust of wind came along and we had to hang right out over the side so that the boat would not capsize. You were able to sense the speed at which we were rushing along. It was just wonderful!!!

In this photo is the Sunburst.

In this photo there is the Sunburst and WAIMANU with Second Mate who is Cream doughnutting/Chocolate chip biscuiting

Cream Doughnutting or Chocolate Chip Biscuiting. You choose what you like best, then you jump on the tyre tube and hold on to the rope. Then someone in WAIMANU will row while someone else holds the rope. Because rowing is sort of slow when you are not an athlete you don’t make much of a wake, but that doesn’t matter.
If Cream Doughnutting or Chocolate Chip Biscuiting doesn’t take your fancy or if you are one of the adventurous type then Wake-Boarding is the thing to try, but because the rowers can’t row that fast, you don’t get a much of a wake.

If you want to go faster you simply call out, “Where’s the wake?” or you can pull yourself faster by pulling yourself in by the rope. Lots of fun!!!!!
We stayed in the water for about 3 and a half hours!!

After that we started to pack up and have lunch. More packing up, packing down of tents and giving the bach a thorough scrub down. Then into we got into our family’s car/van and dove back to Auckland. We had a walkie-talkie in each car, so we used them till the bateries died. On the way home most of us fell asleep, we were that tired!
All in all we had a wonderful weekend.

!!!THANK YOU EDMONDS!!!

**********